Question about Job Title

Specialties Research

Published

I just applied for a position at a local university (wish me luck, I've been trying to get into research since I got into nursing). Its basically a position for an RN new to clinical trials - teaching them to become a research coordinator; in fact the job description states they want the applicant to get a CRC in a certain amount of years. My question is regarding the job title - the position is called Clinical Research Associate. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought CRAs worked for study sponsors as monitors. :confused: Am I wrong, is the job mis-labeled, or does the title have a flexibility depending on who uses it? Thanks in advance!

Specializes in ICU (med/surgical/transplant/neuro/ent).

Well, nevermind. They decided not to fill the position externally before I even got an interview. I was pretty sure this was my best shot for breaking into the research field. :crying2: It was at the facility I worked as a research assistant before I became a nurse and it's in my city. I had shadowed there a few months back and even met the director of clinical trials. And more importantly, they were willing to train. There's just not much in my area as far a clinical research openings and moving/long commuting is not an option. Oh well, maybe someday. I'll just keep my eyes open. I am going to have a little pity party and move on. :p

anc33

327 Posts

Specializes in Oncology, Research.

FYI job title means very little. Yes, the CRA title has been traditionally linked with monitors. For example, to become a CCRA you have to be an auditor of some type. I have noticed more and more facilities using the CRA title for research assistants, data managers, IRB coordinators or anyone else who has an "ancillary" role in clinical research. I have even seen some non-nurse coordinators referred to as CRAs. Coordinators also have many titles. I am a RN specialist, others are research nurses, CRCs or study coordinators. As a side note, the majority of RN research coordinators have the title of data manager in many European countries. So basically you have to go by the job description as there really isn't any universally accepted job titles research.

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